5 Pentecost

5 Pentecost - Sunday

first posted 07/03/04

Numbers 6:22-27 Aaronic Benediction
Acts 13:1-12 Paul curses Elymas, the magician
Luke 12:41-48 To whom much is given, much required

The Lord gave Moses instructions for the blessing of God’s people, which was to be administered by Aaron, saying: The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make his face to shine upon you (show you divine favor), and be gracious to you: The Lord lift up his countenance upon you (look upon you with divine favor), and give you peace. “So shall they put my name upon the people (of Israel; God’s people) and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:27).

Paul (Saul) and Barnabas were worshiping with the congregation at Antioch (Syria), when the Holy Spirit directed the congregation to set apart Paul and Barnabas for ministry that the Holy Spirit would direct. So the church leaders laid their hands on Paul and Barnabas, prayed, and sent them off. Directed by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas went to Seleucia (on the Mediterranean coast) and sailed to Cyprus.

When they arrived on Cyprus at the port city of Salamis (near modern Seryios), they preached in the local synagogue. (Cyprus had a large Jewish colony). They traveled across the island (of Cyprus) to Paphos on the western shore, where they encountered a magician, a Jewish false prophet named Elymas bar-Jesus [“Elymas” means magician and bar-Jesus means "son of Jesus" (or "son of Joshua")].

The governor of Cyprus was a Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus, and he had summoned Paul and Barnabas so that he could hear the Gospel, but Elymas opposed Paul’s message and attempted to turn the proconsul from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit looked intently at Elymas, called him a son of the devil, and enemy of righteousness, a deceitful villain, and suggested that he should “stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord” (Acts 13:10).Then Paul told Elymas that the hand of the Lord was upon Elymas, and that he would be blind for a time. Immediately Elymas was struck blind and sought people to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had occurred he was astonished and he believed Paul’s teaching concerning the Lord.

Jesus had told a parable concerning watchfulness, about servants awaiting their master’s return from a marriage feast (Luke 12:35-40). The disciples asked Jesus if this parable was for them or for everyone. Jesus answered that the parable applied to those who were wise and faithful stewards which the master appoints to serve and feed his household. The master will reward faithful stewards, but he will punish unfaithful stewards. Uninformed (ignorant) unfaithfulness will receive less harsh punishment that willful disobedience. To whom much is given, much will be required. The greater one’s authority, the greater their accountability.

The Lord loves us and wants to bless us (John 3:16). We have to co-operate with God’s plan if we want God’s blessings. We tend to think only in terms of material blessings. God has provided all the material blessings of this world freely to all people [God sends his rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45)]. God’s greatest blessings are spiritual and eternal. Moses had a personal relationship with the Lord.The Lord’s face shone (Numbers 6:25) upon Moses; Moses’ face reflected the glory of the Lord from having been in the Lord’s presence (Exodus 34:35) (Jesus face shone like the sun when he was transfigured; Matthew 17:2; see journal entry for yesterday, Saturday, July 3, 2004 ).

The Holy Spirit is a spiritual blessing given by God. The Holy Spirit leads believers to ministry according to God’s will, and empowers believers to accomplish that ministry. The Lord is able to prosper those who are following his will, and he is able to thwart those who oppose his will. It is important to note that Antioch is where disciples of Jesus were for the first time called “Christians” (Acts 11:26b).

Paul (Saul) had himself been in opposition to God’s will by persecuting Christians, although in ignorance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and had been struck blind on the road to Damascus (Acts Chapter 9), by the Spirit of the risen Jesus. He had subsequently heard the Gospel from a faithful disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-12, 17); Paul had repented, been filled with the Holy Spirit, and had regained his sight. By his obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, Paul was repeating the process, bringing Elymas to encounter the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Jesus, through Paul. Elymas experienced physical blindness as Paul had, and had the opportunity to recognize his spiritual blindness and hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The parable applies specifically to every Christian; everyone who bears the name of the Lord. All Christians are to be disciples of Jesus Christ; that’s what the word “Christian” means (Acts 11:26b). The stewards in the parable represent every Christian, not just the clergy and church leaders; and the Master’s household is the whole world, not just Church members. Believers have been given access to every spiritual blessing. We are commissioned with the dispensation of those blessings to the world. Christians won’t be able to plead ignorance, or lack of blessings. The world is spiritually starving for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The world is spiritually blind, seeking someone who can see to lead them to the light (Acts 13:11b).

In one sense we are all spiritually blind until we see, in Paul’s words, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Have we seen the light? Are our eyes open, watching for our Lord’s return? Is Jesus our Lord (our Master)? Are we disciples of Jesus? Are we trusting and obeying Jesus? Do we have a personal relationship with Jesus? Have we sought the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit? Are we seeking and following the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit directing us to ministry in the world? Are we faithful stewards? Are we ready for Jesus’ return?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

5 Pentecost - Monday

first posted 07/04/04

Numbers 9:15-23, 10:29-36 The cloud over the tabernacle
Romans 1:1-15 Called and set apart
Matthew 17:14-21 Epileptic child healed

The Lord led his people from slavery to sin and death in Egypt by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). They assembled in Sinai at the Mountain of God, and the Lord descended on the mountain in a cloud and gave Moses the Ten Commandments and the instructions for the establishment of the religion.

When the congregation had prepared for the journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land, the manifestation of the Lord’s presence descended on the tabernacle (tent of meeting) as a cloud by day and as fire by night. The people were led daily according to the manifestation of the Lord’s presence. When the cloud lifted up from the tabernacle they set out. Regardless of how long the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, while it remained they stayed in camp. They did not set out until directed to by the Lord, and they encamped at his command. They were obedient to the leading of the Lord.

Paul considered himself a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ. He was called to be an Apostle (messenger), set apart for the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ, which was promised beforehand in the scriptures. Jesus is the Son of David (the heir to the throne of David; the Messiah) according to the flesh, (through Joseph, his earthly father; Matthew 1:1-17), and the Son of God through the Holy Spirit by his resurrection from the dead. Paul and all Christians receive the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus, and a commission to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught (Romans 1:5 RSV; compare Matthew 28:18-20).

All those who are set apart (consecrated) to God’s service are “saints.” Paul was led by the Holy Spirit (see journal entry for yesterday, Sunday July 4, 2004). He prayed that by God’s will he might visit the Roman church but had thus far been prevented (Romans 1:10, 13). Paul was eager to share spiritually with them, and he was also looking forward to receiving spiritual encouragement from them.

When Jesus returned from his mountaintop transfiguration with Peter, James and John (Matthew 17:1-13), to the disciples that had stayed behind, he found a crowd gathered around the rest of the disciples. A man whose son was an epileptic knelt before Jesus and asked Jesus to heal the son. The man had brought him to Jesus’ disciples and they had been unable to heal him. Jesus healed the boy instantly. The disciples asked Jesus privately why they had been unable to heal the epileptic. Jesus answered that it was because of their “little” faith. Jesus said that if one has faith the size of a mustard seed (a tiny seed) nothing would be impossible for them.

The experience of Israel in the wilderness is a parable and a metaphor of discipleship and spiritual growth. When we first turn to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior in faith, God leads us by his word, the Bible, and his Spirit so that we can come to him, be instructed in his ways, and begin to worship him. New believers need to join a congregation of believers. We need to begin to read the entire Bible, and spend daily time in the Bible and prayer. We need to prepare ourselves to be a “tabernacle” to receive the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is Christian discipleship; this is spiritual growth.

We need to stay in “Jerusalem,” i.e. within the church, until we have received the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4). Once we have received the indwelling Holy Spirit and have learned to follow his leading, then we are ready to move out and be Apostles (messengers of the Gospel) in the wilderness of this world. This is what I believe God’s word says, and it is exactly what I have experienced personally and testify to be true.

Paul (Saul) is the first “born-again Christian.” Paul had not known Jesus during Jesus’ earthly ministry before his crucifixion and resurrection. Paul had a personal encounter with the Spirit of the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts Chapter 9). Paul realized his spiritual blindness, repented and turned to Jesus in faith. A disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10), obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit went to Paul and discipled Paul (Acts 9:17).

Paul stayed in the house of a man of Tarsus named Judas until he had received his sight and had been filled with the Holy Spirit. (Paul’s discipling happened very quickly in his case. Remember that Paul already was very well educated in the Bible, and he loved God. Once he realized who Jesus was, he was ready to go. Not many of us are going to be immediately ready to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Notice that Paul was “discipled” by a disciple, who was filled with and obedient to the Holy Spirit.) As soon as Paul received the Holy Spirit he began proclaiming the Gospel (Acts 9:20), led by and obedient to the Holy Spirit (Romans 1: 10, 13; Acts 13:1-12; journal entry for yesterday, Sunday, July 4, 2004).

While Jesus is gone away to the Father and we are awaiting his return, what are we doing? Are we hanging around in the marketplace of this world idly waiting for Jesus to show up and solve our problems, or are we out there ministering to the spiritual needs of the world in Jesus’ name? Have we spent the time necessary in fellowship with Jesus to be filled with and led by his Spirit, so that we can do the ministry? It doesn’t take much faith to minister to the world in Jesus’ name; it just takes some!

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Are you growing spiritually? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you bearing fruit for the kingdom of heaven?

5 Pentecost - Tuesday

first posted 07/05/04

Numbers 11:1-23 Murmurings in the wilderness
Romans 1:16-25 God’s judgment on sin
Matthew 17:22-27 The temple tax

The people of Israel complained about their circumstances, and the Lord heard. The fire of the Lord fell upon and destroyed some of the outlying portions of the camp. The people asked Moses to intercede with God for them; Moses did so and the fire ceased. The people complained about their diet of manna, longing for meat and the fresh vegetables they had in Egypt. Manna was like coriander seed, yellow in color. It was gathered and ground into flour, boiled in pots and made into cakes. It tasted like cakes baked with oil. The manna fell at night with the dew.

Moses was frustrated by the burden of his responsibility for the people, and complained to the Lord that the burden was too great. The Lord told Moses to gather seventy elders of the people, and that the Lord would take some of the spirit which was upon Moses and put it on the seventy, so that they could share with Moses the responsibility for leading the people. The Lord also told Moses to consecrate the people, because the Lord had heard the complaint of the people and would give them meat to eat every day for a month, until they were sick of eating meat and it became loathsome to them.

Moses recognized that feeding such a large group in the wilderness with meat everyday for a month was humanly impossible. The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not” (Numbers 11:23). Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said, and he assembled seventy elders at the tent of meeting. The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses and took some of the spirit that was upon Moses and put it on the seventy elders. When the spirit rested upon the elders they began to prophesy.

Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the saving power of God to everyone, Jew or Gentile, who believes. Through the Gospel, those who believe receive pardon and reconciliation, being reckoned as having the righteousness of God, as a free gift to be received by faith. “He who through faith is righteous shall live” (Romans 1:17b; Habakkuk 2:4). The Day of Judgment is coming upon the wicked and ungodly who by their sinful behavior suppress the truth.

God can be perceived throughout creation, because he has left his mark of eternal power and deity upon it. So the wicked are without excuse; it is not that they don’t know God, but that they do not honor God and give him thanks. As a result their minds are darkened and their thinking is futile. In claiming to be wise they became fools; they traded the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or animals. God has allowed them to follow the desires of their hearts which has led them into greater and greater perversion, “because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25).

Jesus told his disciples for the second time (compare Matthew 16:21; 20:17-19) that “the Son of man” (Jesus) would be delivered into the authority of men, be killed, and rise again on the third day. His disciples were distressed by this statement. At Capernaum the collectors of the temple tax (Jewish males were required to pay a half-shekel annual tax to support the Temple) asked Peter whether Jesus conformed to the obligation. Peter said, “Yes.”

When Peter came home, Jesus spoke before Peter had a chance. Jesus asked Peter if earthly kings collected a tax from their own sons or not. Peter knew they did not, and Jesus said that the sons of Kings were free of taxation. Jesus was not obligated to pay the tax, but in order to avoid giving offence, he told Peter to go to the sea (of Galilee) and cast a hook. When Peter caught the first fish and opened its mouth, he would find a shekel, which he was to give for the temple tax for Jesus and for himself.

God had freed the Israelites from slavery and death in Egypt. He had led them in the wilderness, and provided for their needs, but the people complained about their situation instead of giving thanks to God. The Lord was angry with the people because they were complaining to one another about their circumstances, and were rejecting the Lord and considering returning to Egypt (Numbers 11:20b).

God punished the people for their wickedness, but when they prayed to God, he forgave them, and he allowed them to have what they thought they wanted. God is faithful even when we aren’t. God is able to provide for us far more than we can imagine; far beyond what is humanly possible. God’s word is reliable, no matter how impossible it may sound. The way to get through the wilderness of this life is to trust and obey the Lord. We all need help to get through the wilderness. The Lord gives his Holy Spirit as a helper to those who trust and obey him.

Believers are not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the saving power of God. Through faith in Jesus we are forgiven and reconciled to God. By believing and obeying God’s word we can receive the Holy Spirit, which puts God’s saving power within us to help and sustain us in the wilderness. All creation testifies of the Creator. Those who deny God and refuse to honor and obey him face God’s wrath on the Day of Judgment. They will have no excuse. They have chosen to reject the truth and believe a lie; they have chosen to worship the “creature” instead of the Creator. Their minds are darkened, their thoughts futile, because they have exchanged the wisdom of God for the false wisdom of the world. They have chosen to follow the desires of their flesh, and God has given them over to their desires until they are destroyed by them.

Jesus is the Son of God. He should not be required to pay the temple tax, but he humbly submitted. Jesus reveals his divine nature: he knew what had happened with Peter before Peter had a chance to tell him, and he provided supernaturally for the money to pay the tax for both Peter and himself (Compare Numbers 11:1b, 22-23). By trusting and obeying Jesus’ instructions, Peter’s tax was paid. Jesus knew that he would be crucified, but he submitted and allowed it to happen, because he knew it was God’s will and plan for our salvation. As the Son of God, Jesus was not obligated to submit to the authority of men; he did it voluntarily in obedience to God’s will. Jesus trusted and obeyed God’s word, believing that he would be raised to eternal life on the third day.

Through Jesus Christ, God leads us out of slavery to sin and death to the Promised Land of eternal life, if we will trust and obey him. He gives believers his Holy Spirit to lead and sustain us through the wilderness of this life. We have all sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus has provided the payment for our sins through his death on the Cross. (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). All we have to do to receive salvation and eternal life is to trust Jesus and follow his instructions. God gives us the choice. If we decide to follow the desires of our flesh, he will let us, until we are destroyed by them. We will all be accountable to the Lord on the Day of Judgment (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed (Acts 19:2)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity?

5 Pentecost - Wednesday

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

posted 07/06/04

Numbers 11:24-33, (34-35) The Lord keeps his word
Romans 1:28-2:11 God’s Judgment upon sin
Matthew 18:1-9 Warnings of hell

The Lord had told Moses that he would give a portion of the spirit which was upon Moses to seventy elders (Numbers 11:16), and that he would provide meat for the Israelites (Numbers 11:18-20). Moses questioned how the Lord could provide that much meat in the wilderness (Numbers 11:21-22). The Lord told Moses the people would see for themselves if God’s word would come true (Numbers 11:23).

Moses told the people the words of the Lord, and he assembled the elders at the tent of meeting as instructed by the Lord. The Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses and put some of his spirit upon the elders, and they began to prophesy.

Two men, Eldad and Medad, were among those registered as elders, but had not gone to the tent of meeting. They began prophesying in the camp. Someone from the camp came and told Moses what had happened, and Joshua, Moses’ lieutenant, suggested that Moses should forbid them from prophesying, but Moses said, “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his spirit upon them” (Numbers 11:29).

The Lord caused a strong wind to blow a huge flock of quail inland from the sea, and they fell dead around the camp. They covered an area about a day’s journey on either side of the camp and about three feet deep. The people gathered the quails for a day and a half of constant labor. While they were eating the meat, many of the people died of a plague. They named the place Kibroth-hattavah, which means graves of craving, because they buried there the people who had craved meat.

Those who have denied God have been allowed by God to follow their self-destructive course. They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, gossip, slander, hatred of God, insolence, haughtiness, boastfulness; becoming inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, and ruthless. They know God’s word that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do such things but approve of others who do the same.

Those who pass judgment on others condemn themselves because they are guilty of the same sins. God’s judgment rightly falls on those who do such things (Romans 2:2). Does anyone suppose that one can do such things and escape God’s punishment? Don’t presume that because God is patient and forbearing that he will not punish sin. God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.

By refusing to repent, one is storing up wrath upon himself in the Day of Judgment, when God will reward or punish each individual according to what he has done in life. Those who have persevered in well-doing (obeying God’s word) will receive eternal life; but those who have disobeyed the truth and have pursued wickedness there will receive (eternal) wrath and fury. The wicked will receive eternal suffering and distress, but the righteous will receive eternal glory, honor and peace. God will show no partiality.

The disciples asked Jesus who would be considered greatest in heaven. Jesus used a young child to illustrate the standard of greatness in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said that unless we turn, and become like children we will never enter the kingdom of heaven. One who is considered great must be humble like a child. Jesus said that anyone who shows kindness to such a one (a disciple) in Jesus name, has done so to Jesus himself; but one who causes such to sin, will receive punishment worse than death. The world will be punished for temptations to sin. Temptations are part of life, but we will be individually accountable for causing or yielding to temptations. The consequences of yielding to temptation are worse than any drastic measures we need to take to avoid sinning.

The Israelites craved meat (flesh) and the Lord allowed them to indulge their craving, but their indulgence cost them their lives. This is a parable about how God allows people to pursue their cravings, at the cost of their eternal lives. (The issue is not vegetarianism.) The word of God is faithful and true. What God says, happens. The Lord wants to give his Holy Spirit to those who are willing to trust and obey him, to help them do what he asks them to do.

Paul’s point is that God allows people to choose whether to follow God’s commands or to pursue their own cravings, but that departing from God’s word and following one’s own desires leads ultimately to eternal death and destruction.

The way to eternal life is to turn from pursuing our own desires and to become trusting and obedient, like little children, to our heavenly father through Jesus Christ. God gives us the freedom to make our own choices, but, if we could fully realize the consequences of disobedience to God’s will, no sacrifice on our part would be too great to avoid sinning.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross is the only sacrifice that can save us from sin. Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). We have all sinned and fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). There is a Day of Judgment coming, when all who have ever lived will be accountable to God for what they have done in life (John 5:28-29; Mathew 25:31-46).

God loves us and wants us to have eternal life with him in heaven (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). Forgiveness and salvation are a free gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Only through faith in Jesus Christ are we able to resist temptation. Jesus was tempted in every way like we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus has made the sacrifice on the Cross once for all time and all people to save us from sin. Are you trusting and following Jesus, or are you following your cravings? Where will you choose to spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

5 Pentecost - Thursday

Thursday, July 8, 2004

posted 07/07/04

Numbers 12:1-16 Punishment of Miriam
Romans 2:12-24 Principle of judgment
Matthew 18:10-20 The lost sheep; church discipline

Miriam and Aaron, sister and brother of Moses, spoke against Moses because he had married a Cushite (a Midianite) woman (Exodus 2:21). They challenged Moses’ spiritual leadership of the people, saying that the Lord had spoken also through them. Moses was a very humble person. The Lord called Moses, Aaron and Miriam out to the tent of meeting, and appeared before them in the pillar of cloud.

The Lord called Miriam and Aaron to step forward, and he told them that with other prophets the Lord spoke to them in a vision or dream, but the Lord had entrusted Moses with the stewardship of the Lord’s household and spoke to Moses face-to-face. Miriam and Aaron should have been afraid to speak against the Lord’s servant. The Lord was angry with them, and when he departed in the pillar of cloud, Miriam had become leprous. Aaron begged Moses for forgiveness for himself and Miriam, so Moses asked the Lord to heal Miriam. The Lord replied that her punishment could not be less than that of a daughter spat upon (cursed) by her father, so she was forced to stay outside the camp for seven days, and the people encamped until the seven days were over.

All people will face judgment before God. Gentiles, who sin, although not under God’s law, will perish with all those who have sinned under the law. “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified” (Romans 2:13). Though not under the law, Gentiles who follow their conscience do what the law requires. Those who rely upon the law and boast of their relationship with God, who know his will and his word and presume to instruct others, ought to keep the law themselves. Those who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. The failure of God’s people to keep his commands causes God’s name to be blasphemed by the world.

We should respect and care for all people, because the Lord cares for each individual and doesn’t want anyone to perish. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus used an everyday image of his time to illustrate God’s concern for each individual. The Lord doesn’t abandon the straying to their fate, but actively seeks them to bring them back to safety. The Lord rejoices more when the lost and straying are restored than over those who never went astray.

Jesus also gave his disciples instructions concerning discipline among his followers. If someone sins against us we should tell him his sin privately and give him the opportunity to repent. If a believer who has sinned against us doesn’t repent, we should confront him in the presence of witnesses. If he still doesn’t repent, he should be brought before the Church. If he doesn’t heed the pronouncement of the Church, he is to be excluded from fellowship. Jesus gave his Church the responsibility for judgment and discipline within the Church.

Miriam and Aaron were suffering from spiritual pride and selfish ambition. They were members of the congregation of Israel who had gained some knowledge of God’s word and had risen to leadership positions, and were trying to establish their own “empires,” areas of influence where they could dominate. They thought they could replace Moses.

Moses was a person of great humility (Exodus 3:11) and a trusted and faithful servant of the Lord. Moses was not jealous of Miriam and Aaron, or competing with them. Moses was glad to share some of his authority and responsibility with them. Miriam and Aaron did not have a personal relationship with the Lord like Moses did. God rebuked and punished them for using the ministry they had been given to promote their own selfish interests.

All people will be accountable to the Lord on the Day of Judgment for what each has individually done in life (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46). Christians are not under the Law of Moses, provided that they live in faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. That doesn’t mean that Christians can do what is contrary to the Law.

Christians are not obligated to keep Jewish Law, but we are obligated to obey God's word. Christians who do what they know is contrary to God’s word and Jesus’ teaching dishonor the Lord and cause his name to be blasphemed by the world.

The Lord doesn’t want any individual to perish (die eternally). He seeks us when we stray, in order to bring us back to safety in his flock. Sheep are safe when they follow their shepherd; he takes care of them. They get into danger when they go off on their own and follow their own interests. The Lord’s discipline is intended to bring us to repentance.

The Church is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the standards of behavior of its members. Is the Church living up to its responsibility to enforce scriptural, Godly standards among its membership? Is the Church allowing behavior in the Church which is not in accord with God’s word or tolerable in heaven?

Jesus is the Shepherd of his Church. In one sense, the world is his flock, but some are following their own interests and are lost. Believers are the assistants. Believers need to remember that the church is not our private “empire;” the Church is not our private social club.

Believers need to be followers of Jesus; we need to be disciples, and obey all that he taught, and then go and make disciples, teaching them to obey all that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Church is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the standards of discipleship within the Church. Are we the part of Jesus’ flock that is obeying Jesus, or are we part of the flock that is straying? Is our behavior in the world glorifying or dishonoring Jesus’ name? Are we seeking the lost, or are we driving them away?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you first believed?

5 Pentecost - Friday

Friday, July 9, 2004

posted 07/08/04

Numbers 13:1-3, 21-30 Scouting out Canaan
Romans 2:25-3:8 Advantage of the Jews
Matthew 18:21-35 Forgiveness

The Lord directed Moses to send twelve scouts, one leader from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. They scouted from the Wilderness of Zin (northeast of Kadesh-barnea), at the southern end of Israel, to the entrance of Hamath, (in the valley of Lebanon) which is the northern end of Israel. At Hebron (about 20 miles south of Jerusalem) they saw three descendants of Anak (Anakim; Nephilim; giants). In the vicinity of Hebron they cut from a vine a large single cluster of grapes which required two people to carry it on a pole between them.

They returned after forty days, bringing the fruit of the land as evidence of its productivity. They reported that “the land flows with milk and honey” (seeming like paradise to wilderness nomads), but they reported that the people of the land were strong and the cities fortified, and that there were giants in the land. Caleb, one of the scouts [and Joshua (Numbers 14:6-9), who later became Moses’ successor], urged the Israelites to enter the land immediately to occupy it, believing that Israel was well able to overcome the inhabitants.

Keeping the Law of Moses is of value if one can do it, but if one breaks any of it one becomes like a Gentile (pagan), guilty before God. If a Gentile does what the Law requires, even though not bound by the covenant of the Law, God will judge him as righteous. One who keeps the precepts of the Law will be judged righteous by God, while those who disobey the Law will be condemned, regardless of physical circumcision, or of covenant relationship.

Real "Jewishness" is internal, not external. Real circumcision (the mark of the Covenant of Law) is a matter of the heart; spiritual rather than literal. Those who are truly circumcised are not seeking the praise of men (by outward display) but the praise of God (who knows our inner thoughts and attitudes). Then what advantage is it to be a Jew or to have been circumcised? Paul thinks that they have an advantage, because they have the scriptures through which they have been given the promises of God. The unfaithfulness of some does not nullify God’s faithfulness. But their wicked unfaithfulness is not excused by serving as a bad example. Doing evil so that good may come from it is perverted.

Jesus had just told his disciples how to deal with grievances among themselves (Matthew 18:15-20). Peter wanted to know if one should forgive an individual as many as seven times. Jesus replied that one should forgive a person every time, as many times as necessary; true forgiveness doesn’t keep score. To illustrate forgiveness, Jesus told a parable about a king settling accounts with his servants.

When the king began the accounting, a servant was brought before him who owed perhaps ten million dollars. The servant could not pay, so the king ordered the man, his wife, children and all his possessions to be sold to satisfy the debt. The man pleaded with the king to have patience, promising to repay the debt. The king had pity on the servant and released him and forgave the entire debt.

As the servant left the accounting, he passed a fellow servant who owed him twenty dollars. The forgiven debtor grabbed his fellow servant by the neck and demanded immediate repayment. The fellow servant asked for patience and promised to repay, but the forgiven debtor had his fellow servant put in prison until he should repay the debt.

The other servants of the king were distressed by the forgiven debtor’s harsh treatment of his fellow servant, and complained to the king. The king summoned the servant he had forgiven and told him that since the king had forgiven him all his large debt, that he should have shown mercy to his fellow servant concerning his much smaller debt. The king reversed his decision to forgive the debt, and threw the wicked servant into jail until he could repay his debt. Jesus warned that God will do likewise to those who do not truly forgive others.

God wanted to give the Israelites the Promised Land. Sending scouts, they were to able to see for themselves what the Promised Land offered and what they needed to overcome. Two of the scouts were enthusiastic and trusted in the Lord that they could overcome the few obstacles, realizing the greatness of the reward. But the others exaggerated the difficulty and made excuses for why they couldn’t accomplish what the Lord required.

We are saved by grace (unmerited favor; free gift) through faith in Jesus; not by keeping the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9). But faith in Jesus means trusting in him and obeying him (Matthew 7:21). No one will be saved by keeping the Law, because if one fails in any point to keep the Law one is guilty of all of it (James 2:10). That doesn’t mean that we can do what is contrary to God’s word. Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to be forgiven when we fall short.

Real Christianity is not outward appearance but inner attitude. Real Christians are those who are seeking to please God, rather than using religion to be well-thought-of by others. Real Christianity is not a matter of church membership. We have the scriptures and we have the promises of God. Are we living like the New Israel, or are we living like pagans? Are we acting on the promises and claiming the territory, or are we making excuses? Are we using the difficulty of following Jesus’ teachings as an excuse for not trying? Do we think that doing what is contrary to God’s word glorifies God’s faithfulness, mercy and grace? Do we think that doing evil will promote good?

Jesus had been teaching his disciples about Church discipline (Matthew 18:15-20; see journal entry for yesterday, Thursday, July 8, 2004): holding fellow believers accountable for their behavior in relationship to God’s word. The parable today (Matthew 18:23-35) is about God’s gift of forgiveness in Jesus Christ. We have the entire forgiveness of all our sins through faith in Jesus Christ.

Does that mean that we can sin as much as we want, because it has already been forgiven? In the parable, the king condemned the wicked servant because the servant had not benefited from the king’s forgiveness by following the king’s example and doing something of what the king had done for him to others. The wicked servant had not appreciated the king’s forgiveness and had not tried to do what was pleasing to the king.

There is a Day of Judgment coming, when all who have ever lived will be accountable to God for what they have done in life. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal life in Heaven with the Lord (John 5:28-29). Those who have refused to trust and obey Jesus will receive eternal death and destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10). Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6).

5 Pentecost - Saturday

Saturday, July 10, 2004

posted 07/09/04

Numbers 13:31-14:25 Moses intercedes for the people
Romans 3:9-20 All are guilty
Matthew 19:1-12 Marriage and divorce

Scouts had returned from scouting out the land, and Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:6-9), had given a good report, encouraging Israel to enter and conquer the land, but the other scouts gave an evil report. They had seen 3 giants (sons of Anak; Numbers 13:22) and they exaggerated the number and size of the giants, saying that all the people were giants, and that the scouts had seemed as tiny as grasshoppers in comparison (Numbers 13:32b, 33).

The congregation of Israel wept and murmured against Moses and questioned the Lord’s motive in bringing them there. They were talking about electing a new captain and returning to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb again spoke, encouraging the congregation to trust and follow the Lord and take possession of the land. But the congregation talked about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting, and the Lord was angry, because the Israelites had not learned to trust the Lord after witnessing all the great things the Lord had done for them.

The Lord was going to destroy the congregation and make another greater nation arise, but Moses interceded for the people. Moses told the Lord that if the Lord destroyed the people, Egypt and the surrounding people, knowing that the Lord was leading them, would say that the Lord was not able to bring his people into the land he swore to give them.

Moses acknowledged God’s great power, steadfast love and forgiveness, but also his righteous judgment, and asked the Lord to forgive his people according to his great love and his previous mercies. The Lord pardoned the people, and did not destroy them, but punished them by not allowing them to enter the Promised Land. Only Caleb (and Joshua) would be allowed to enter because they had a different spirit and had followed the Lord fully (obediently). The Lord instructed Moses to lead them into the wilderness.

In spite of their advantage in relationship with the Lord, the Jews are no better than Gentiles, because all are sinners. None is righteous before God. “All have turned aside, together they have gone wrong” (Romans 3:12a). They deceive, curse, and murder. “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18). The Law refutes and silences mankind’s contradiction of the Law, so that the whole world may be held accountable to God. “For no human being will be justified in his sight by works of the Law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Jesus left Galilee and entered the region of Judea east of the Jordan River. Large crowds followed Jesus and he healed them. The Pharisees (religious leaders; legalists), tested Jesus by asking him whether divorce was lawful. Jesus answered them with scripture, showing that in marriage a man and woman become one, and saying that what God joins together man must not separate.

The Pharisees asked why Moses had allowed divorce, and Jesus replied that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of people’s hearts. Jesus declared that “whoever divorces his wife except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). The disciples realized that it might be better to remain unmarried, but Jesus replied that not everyone can accept voluntary celibacy.

The history of God’s dealings with his people is also a parable of our life on this earth. The people had experienced their deliverance from slavery and death in Egypt and the many great things the Lord had done for them on their journey through the wilderness, and they had heard reports of the blessings of the Promised Land, but they were going to let a few giants (a few difficulties) keep them from following the Lord and entering the Promised Land. They exaggerated the difficulties, and they refused to believe that the Lord could help them overcome the difficulties (Numbers 14:8-9).

They could have been living in the Promised Land right then; all they had to do was follow the Lord. Instead, they wanted to “stone the prophets” who encouraged them to trust and obey God’s word (Numbers 14:10), and they wanted to elect new leaders who would allow them to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:4). The Lord didn’t destroy them right then; he just banished them to the wilderness for the rest of their lives, and forbid them to enter the Promised Land. But Caleb and Joshua were different; they had a different Spirit and they followed the Lord obediently.

We are saved by grace (unmerited favor; free gift) through faith in Jesus; not by keeping the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9; see journal entry for yesterday, Friday, July 9, 2004). But faith in Jesus means trusting and obeying him (Matthew 7:21). The Law (indeed, the Word of God, the Bible) is given to refute and silence man’s contradiction of God’s will, so that the world may be held accountable to God. God’s purpose in giving the Law was to make mankind aware of sin.

The Jews had the advantage of being entrusted with God’s word (Romans 3:2), but they were as guilty of sin (Romans 3:9) as the Gentiles (Pagans; non-Jews). No one will be saved by keeping the Law (Romans 3:20). Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Jesus is the one who can give us a new Spirit (Matthew 3:11), the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, to lead us and help us overcome the “giants.” Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to those who follow him obediently (see Isaiah 42:5e).

Jesus’ teachings are not impossible or too difficult for us to follow. Indeed, Jesus’ commands (and God’s word) were made in consideration of our weaknesses. God permits divorce although it is contrary to his will, and Jesus does not require celibacy. The Pharisees were misusing God’s word. They wanted to make God’s word more restrictive that God intended, and they wanted to attack and destroy Jesus, the Son of God, the Living Word (John 1:1, 14) with it.

Christians are the New Israel, the new People of God. Nominal Christians (those who claim to be “Christians”) are no better off than pagans. They have the scriptures, but they are as much under the power of sin as pagans. Real Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ. They are learning to obey all that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:18-20). Real Christians have been born-again by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8). The Holy Spirit is the mark and guarantee that one belongs to Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible to know definitely that one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

The people of Israel wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua for truly speaking God’s word. They wanted to elect new leaders who would allow them to return to “Egypt,” the place where they were in bondage to sin and death. They wanted leaders who wouldn’t make them fight the “giants” of sin. The Pharisees wanted to crucify Jesus for truly proclaiming God’s word. Paul said to Timothy, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

So, how are we doing? Living in the Promised Land begins when we are born-again. We will still have to fight a few giants, but the Lord will give us the victory. We just have to follow the Lord and enter and claim the promises. Are we willing to listen to sound teaching, or do we have itching ears? Are we following leaders who truly proclaim God’s word, or are we choosing leaders who will allow us to live in the “Egypt” of sin and death? Are we willing to face a few giants in the power and Spirit of the Lord, or do we long for the fleeting pleasures of sin in Egypt? Are we willing to enter and claim the Promised Land, or do we want to wander in the wilderness until we die eternally?